USS New York (1800) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | USS New York |
| Namesake | New York |
| Builder | Peck and Carpenter |
| Cost | $159,639 |
| Laid down | August 1798 |
| Launched | 24 April 1800 |
| Commissioned | October 1800 |
| Fate | Burned, 24 August 1814 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | New York-class frigate |
| Tonnage | 1130 |
| Length | 145 ft 5 in (44.32 m) |
| Beam | 38 ft 1 in (11.61 m) |
| Draft | 11 ft 9 in (3.58 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement | 340 officers and enlisted |
| Armament |
|
The USS New York was a sailing ship called a frigate that served in the United States Navy. It was a large ship with three masts and a wooden body. The New York was important during a time when the U.S. Navy was just starting. It helped protect American ships during conflicts like the Quasi-War with France and against pirates in the Mediterranean Sea.
Citizens of New York helped pay for the ship's construction. It was built in New York City by Peck and Carpenter. Work began in August 1798, and the ship was launched on April 24, 1800. It officially joined the Navy in October 1800, with Captain Richard Valentine Morris in charge. The New York was one of several frigates built to make the young U.S. Navy stronger. It joined the Navy when the Quasi-War with France was happening. During this time, French warships were attacking American trading ships in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
Contents
Service History of the USS New York
Protecting Ships in the Caribbean
The New York left New York on October 22, 1800. It sailed to the Caribbean Sea to protect American merchant ships. It helped a ship called the Amazon deliver its goods to Martinique. Then, it went to St. Kitts to get new orders.
The ship patrolled near Guadeloupe, keeping an eye out for French ships and privateers. These were ships that attacked American traders. However, many sailors on the New York became sick with a fever. The ship had to return to St. Kitts on December 31. Forty of the sickest men were taken ashore, and new sailors joined the crew.
In mid-January 1801, the New York went back to its patrol. It continued to protect American merchant ships trading with the British West Indies.
A peace agreement, called Pinckney's Treaty, was made with France on February 3, 1801. Because of this, the New York was ordered to return home on March 23. It arrived in New York in late April. In May, it sailed to Washington, D.C. The New York was then put into "ordinary" at the Washington Navy Yard. This meant it was kept in reserve as part of the Navy's backup force.
The ship's patrols were very important. They not only protected American trade but also helped the United States Navy become a respected force. President John Adams said that the Navy's actions "raised us in our own esteem."
Facing Pirates in the Mediterranean
The frigate was put back into service on August 14, 1802. Captain James Barron took command. At this time, small kingdoms on the Barbary Coast of North Africa were attacking American ships. These pirates would kill or imprison sailors and steal cargo. They also demanded large amounts of money to stop their attacks.
To deal with this problem, President Thomas Jefferson sent a group of naval ships to the Mediterranean Sea in May 1801. On November 14, 1802, the New York sailed from Washington Navy Yard to join this group. It arrived in Gibraltar on April 6, 1803. There, it became the main ship, or flagship, for Commodore Morris, who was its first captain.
The group of ships sailed to Tripoli on April 11. They wanted to show the local ruler, the Pasha, how strong the American Navy was. On April 25, an explosion on board the New York killed four men and damaged the ship. This forced the ships to stop in Malta for repairs from May 1 to May 19.
They arrived off Tripoli on May 22. The ships tried to talk with the Pasha. There were two small battles on May 22 and May 27. The American ships' strong fire drove away the attacking Tripolitan gunboats. After this, the talks seemed to go well. A young officer named John Downes was praised for his brave service on the New York during these fights.
On June 9, a temporary peace agreement was made. The U.S. ships had to leave the harbor right away. Commodore Morris followed these terms and sailed away in the New York the next day. He left the other ships to guard the coast. He did not know that the Pasha would start his pirate attacks again as soon as the American ships were gone.
Journey Home
The New York sailed to Malta on June 14. There, it received a special salute from Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and the British Fleet. The frigate stayed in Malta to get supplies. Its crew also had time to explore the island.
On July 8, it sailed for Gibraltar, stopping in Naples and Málaga along the way. It arrived in Gibraltar on September 14. There, it met Commodore Edward Preble and his ships. They had been sent to take over from Commodore Morris. On the day the New York arrived, Captain John Rodgers took command of the ship. After one month in port, the warship sailed for home.
It stopped in Tunis for supplies on November 4. The New York returned to Washington Navy Yard on December 9, 1803. It was immediately put back into "ordinary" as a reserve ship.
The New York stayed in reserve for the next eleven years. Sadly, the frigate was burned by the British on August 24, 1814. This happened during the capture of Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812.
